PYONGYANG, North Korea — The US accused North Korea of “highly provocative” behavior Friday after the rogue state said it would launch a long-range rocket to put a satellite into orbit in direct violation of a UN ban.

The launch of the Unha-3 rocket was scheduled between April 12 and 16 to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of founding leader Kim Il Sung, the country’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

“North Korea’s announcement that it plans to conduct a missile launch in direct violation of its international obligations is highly provocative,” US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement. “UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874 clearly and unequivocally prohibit North Korea from conducting launches that use ballistic missile technology.”

Nuland said the move would pose a threat to regional security and also would be inconsistent with North Korea’s recent undertaking to refrain from long-range missile launches.

“We call on North Korea to adhere to its international obligations, including all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. We are consulting closely with our international partners on next steps,” she said.

The North said the satellite, a polar-orbiting Earth observation satellite known as Kwangmyongsong-3, was indispensable for economic development and in line with its policy of the peaceful use of space.

The launch “will greatly encourage the army and people … in the building of a thriving nation,” the KCNA said. “A safe flight orbit has been chosen so that carrier rocket debris to be generated during the flight would not have any impact on neighboring countries.”

Pyongyang used similar arguments to justify its long-range rocket launch on April 5, 2009, saying it put a satellite into space, AFP reported. The launch brought UN Security Council condemnation and a tightening of sanctions.

Last month, the Communist state agreed to suspend long-range missile tests as part of a deal under which the US would supply 264,550 tons (240,000 tonnes) of food aid.

South Korea described the move as a “grave, provocative act,” while Japan said it would “strongly demand self-restraint.”

Seoul said it would closely consult other members of stalled six-nation talks on the North’s nuclear disarmament to try to avert the launch. The talks group is made up of the two Koreas, Japan, Russia, China and the US.

The North said the rocket would be launched southward from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station on its western coast. It has been developing a new missile launch site in the same area.

North Korea is now ruled by Kim Jong Eun, the third generation of the Kim dynasty. The younger Kim took over from his late father Kim Jong Il, who died in December last year.